Thomas Maurer

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Enable SSH on ESXi 5 via vSphere Client

Thomas Maurer
Updated
1–2 minutes
32 comments on Enable SSH on ESXi 5 via vSphere Client

In the first post I wrote how you can enable SSH on the ESXi 5.0 host. In this post I show you how you can enable or activate SSH on the ESXi 5.0 hosts via the vSphere Client.

  1. First start the vSphere Client
  2. Select the ESXi host in the configurations tab
  3. Select Security Profile
    Enable SSH on ESXi 5.0 vis vSphere Client
  4. Click on Properties in the upper right corner and you will get the a popup with all the services on this ESXi 5.0 hosts. Select the SSH service and press the Options button.
    Enable SSH on ESXi 5.0 vis vSphere Client
  5. Now you can start the services and set the startup options
    Enable SSH on ESXi 5.0 vis vSphere Client
  6. press okay and you are done..

If you are running Windows, you should also check out my blog post about how to install SSH on Windows 10 or SSH on Windows Server. I also blogged about how you can use SSH with PowerShell.

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Thomas Maurer
Thomas is the EMEA Global Black Belt (GBB) for Sovereign Cloud at Microsoft, helping organizations across the region harness Microsoft’s sovereign, hybrid, multicloud, and edge solutions. He works directly with C-level leaders and technical teams to remove roadblocks, accelerate digital transformation, and shape long-term cloud strategies that meet business and regulatory needs. With over 15 years of experience in cloud and datacenter, including his previous role as Principal Program Manager and Chief Evangelist for Azure Hybrid, he combines deep technical expertise with a passion for customer success. He specializes in creating scalable architectures, solution accelerators, and thought leadership that drive adoption and innovation on Azure. Thomas is a passionate community advocate and frequently speaks at industry events such as Microsoft Ignite and Microsoft TechDays. He shares his expertise through his Cloud and Datacenter Blog at www.thomasmaurer.ch and on LinkedIn and X.com www.twitter.com/thomasmaurer.

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32 responses

  1. Will Avatar
    Will

    Works perfectly! Thanks for the write up!

    Reply
  2. stambo Avatar
    stambo

    Hey, dont works for me.
    I get the at putty the login prompt, but no password prompt.
    some minutes later i get timeout error.

    ssh aktivated and reboot…

    Reply
  3. Ken Avatar
    Ken

    Thank You Thomas!!! Can I buy you a beer?
    I have been looking for this information all day.
    It’s obvious once you know where it is ;-)

    Reply
    1. Thomas Maurer Avatar
      Thomas Maurer

      beer is always welcome ;)

      Reply
  4. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    This worked great. Thanks. Once I hit okay I have the yellow triangle with a ! in it. I beleiver this is a warning that SSH Support is enabled from what I have read so fare.

    Reply
    1. Thomas Maurer Avatar
      Thomas Maurer

      Thats right, VMware does not recommend to leave SSH enable because of security reasons

      Reply
  5. Donnell Ferrari Avatar
    Donnell Ferrari

    Hi, folks.

    I receive the error “Connection refused” when I try to connect SSH. Someone can help me?

    Reply
  6. Andrew Waite Avatar
    Andrew Waite

    Thanks for the information, helped me get up to speed with some of the newer capabilities in 5.
    Regarding the security issues around leaving SSH open, you can take a look at the firewall options (same screen) and limit SSH connections to only come from trusted sources (assuming you have static IP addresses of course). Changing this setting should also help with some of the connection issues above if it’s currently set to drop SSH traffic.
    Also worth putting the same settings in place for you vSphere Client access etc. to reduce attack surface.

    Reply
  7. Charly Avatar
    Charly

    Sali Maurer

    Viele Dank für de Artikel. Vilicht na als Ergänzig. Abstelle vom Warning ufem Host wo uftaucht: Configuration – Software – Advanced Settings – UserVars – UserVars.SuppressShellWarning = 1

    Reply
  8. Dean Scully Avatar
    Dean Scully

    Thanks Charly.

    SSH and no warning at the same time.

    Reply
  9. luca Avatar
    luca

    use free ESXi 5.
    for every restart of ESXi ssh is disabled.
    Is there a way to make permanent ssh enabled at startup

    thanks

    Reply
  10. khadidja Avatar
    khadidja

    This worked great. Thanks.

    Reply
  11. sgr Avatar
    sgr

    SSH enabled, PUTTY connection works OK. THANK YOU

    Reply
  12. @ Avatar
    @

    Thanks a lot!

    Reply
  13. James Avatar
    James

    Thanks – solved my problem :-)

    Reply
  14. jasimev Avatar
    jasimev

    thanks man! it got me through. :)

    Reply
  15. Rich Weed Avatar
    Rich Weed

    Yes, it works if you have a vSphere lic, but what about those who don’t? The challenge of a “provided service” is no big deal, they gave it to you. Really, how difficult is it to click the “on” button, whew, it is terribly difficult, I’m sure. Try it without.

    Reply
    1. Thomas Maurer Avatar
      Thomas Maurer

      Yeah well: https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2011/08/activate-ssh-on-vmware-esxi-5-0/

      Reply
  16. Rani Avatar
    Rani

    Thanks :)

    Reply
  17. kazi Avatar
    kazi

    tnx

    Reply
  18. PrasAU Avatar
    PrasAU

    thanks heaps!!! This helped me as well

    Reply
  19. Bravo Avatar
    Bravo

    Oops, no even vmware have this straightforward steps
    NICE

    Reply
  20. Bas Avatar
    Bas

    Thanks worked perfectly.

    Reply
  21. MonteChristo Avatar
    MonteChristo

    Thank you for the concise and accurate instruction. Enabling ssh worked like a charm.

    Reply
  22. Galvan Avatar
    Galvan

    Thanks :D

    Reply
  23. Ricardo Mota Avatar
    Ricardo Mota

    Thank You!!!!!!!

    Reply
  24. Ibrahim Avatar
    Ibrahim

    Many thanks!

    Reply
  25. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    It works fine but now the screen is totally black. I tried the steps for restarting but I still have just a black screen. Please help me !!!

    Reply
  26. Jose Avatar
    Jose

    Thanks

    Reply
  27. Arshad VP Avatar
    Arshad VP

    This post is greatly helpful…thanks Thomacha…..nee poliyaada mwone

    Reply
  28. eric Avatar
    eric

    Thanks Thomas

    Reply
    1. Thomas Maurer Avatar
      Thomas Maurer

      you’re welcome :)

      Reply

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